Fun-day held in memory of Carl Hutchins was 'absolutely fantastic'

A fun-day held in memory of the "very popular" Carl Hutchins was "absolutely fantastic", according to his mother who organised the event.

More than 200 people attended the fun-day at Langleybury Cricket Club, Langleybury Lane, on Sunday, August 31.

Before the event, Carl’s mother, Marion Featherstone, said she organised the event because Carl "was a very popular man and was loved by so many people. I just do not want him to be forgotten. Everyone misses him so much."

Villagers enjoyed performances from a live band, "Touching Cloth" in addition to cake stalls, sumo-wrestling suits, a bouncy castle and the auctioning of sports memorabilia.

Marion Featherstone said: "It was an absolutely fantastic day. It was lovely; the weather was gorgeous, which really helped us.

"I was overwhelmed by all the help I have had.

"People that were there on the day were saying it was an amazing day. I had quite a lot of very positive feedback.

"My highlight of the day? People talking about my son and remembering him fondly."

The event had been scheduled to take place on Monday, August 25, but had to be cancelled due to rain.

All the proceeds from the day will go towards the Peace Hospice and The Hospice of St Francis and so far, the fun-day has raised more than £800.

Daniel O’Brien, Carl’s cousin, twice performed a song that he had written after the 23 year-old’s death in October 2012.

The song contained lyrics about how much he "misses Carl and will always love him."

Ms Featherstone, who works at Langleybury Cricket Club, added: "He had a lot of people in tears, he was crying and so was I and we were hugging.

"They were very close.

"It was quite over-whelming the amount of people who came out and showed their support and talked about Carl all day."

Marion reserved special praise for her cousin, Trevor, his girlfriend, Karen, and her "very special friend, Louise Miller, who did a lot of the organising."

"I couldn’t have done it without all the help everyone has given. I cannot thank everyone enough."

Carl was 23 when he took his own life in October 2012.

Ms Featherstone told the Watford Observer that she intends to hold a similar event every year after success this year and last year, at Evergreen Football Club, South Way, Abbots Langley.